Illinois (Rushville).—The “Vincent” branch of the C. L. S. C. meets semi-monthly, and we are happy to say that our interest is unabated. This is our second year, and although we have lost several members by removal, and two have taken up a collegiate course, we still have an enthusiastic membership of fifteen. We have a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Our order of exercises varies. At our last meeting we had read Dr. Talmage’s lecture on “Happy Homes,” delivered at Chautauqua. Some of our members took the Daily Herald during the Assembly, and we have laid in store many good lectures which will be read at the circle during the winter. We advise all members to take the Herald another year if they want to enjoy what is next best to going to Chautauqua—that is, hearing all about it. The items from other local circles are read with great interest.
Illinois (Yorkville).—The local circle of our town was reorganized this year with thirty members. The officers consist of a president and secretary, both of whom hold office for a period of one month. The president appoints a teacher for each branch of study, and critics on language and pronunciation are appointed for each meeting. Every one feels a deep interest in the work.
Michigan (Decatur).—For two winters some ladies of our town have had a class for the study of history, the members thinking they could not take the time necessary for the Chautauqua course. The meetings were pleasant and instructive, but during the past summer one and another of the class, and some not belonging to it, determined to take the C. L. S. C. readings. Accordingly a “Pansy” circle was organized October 1. Various reasons prevented our meeting again for nearly three weeks, but since that time we have had regular weekly meetings. They are not weakly, however, for with most of the circle the readings have been studies. Our president, who by the way is a member of the class of ’84, and has studied alone for three years, tells us that we do more studying than any circle she has known. We have ten members and two “local members,” and hope for additions to our number. We think the “Chautauqua Idea” a grand one. May it run the wide world through.
Wisconsin (Milwaukee).—The “Delta” circle, of this city, reorganized October 2. Last year we numbered but sixteen, and this year we have enrolled over thirty, of whom twenty-five are regular members of the C. L. S. C. Our officers consist of a president, vice-president and secretary, elected annually; also a referee, elected monthly, who is expected to be able to settle doubtful questions in regard to pronunciation, etc. Meetings are held once a week at the homes of the members. We follow the outline of studies published in The Chautauquan. Our exercises consist generally of a review of the week’s reading, conducted by a leader who is appointed two weeks in advance, and who assigns topics, allowing one week for preparation. We try to make our meetings as informal and conversational as possible. It is at the pleasure of the leader to vary the exercises as much as he chooses. Our last evening was devoted to political economy, the leader having arranged for a discussion on “Free Trade versus Protection,” in which six members participated. The interest in the circle is constantly increasing.
Wisconsin (Elkhorn).—At the close of last June the local circle at Elkhorn seemed at its lowest ebb. Owing to removals, sickness, and other reasons, only two remained out of the six who started in January, 1882, who were able to attend the regular meetings, and when one of them removed in September to Milwaukee, the remaining member almost forgot our class motto, “Never be discouraged,” for among her acquaintances there was apparently but little interest in the C. L. S. C., and she seemed doomed to plod on alone. In October, without any great effort on the part of any one, there sprang into being a full-fledged local circle of nine members. This circle had been in existence under the name of the “Elkhorn Mutual Improvement Society,” for two years, and some good work had been done in English History and Literature, but now an inspiration seized the members to take up the C. L. S. C. studies, and the society was reorganized without a change of name, and retaining the old constitution nearly intact, into a C. L. S. C. local circle. Some of the members entered upon the studies with misgivings, lest they should not be able to do the work, but so far the work has been easier than was anticipated, and the circle, as a whole, is doing it enthusiastically and thoroughly. The main cause of this renewal of interest in the C. L. S. C. may be fairly traced, I think, to the influence of the Monona Lake Sunday-school Assembly, whose sessions at Madison last August were attended by two members of the “Mutual Improvement Society.”